InTheSnow-nov

30
www.inthesnow.com
Jon (AKA WESTY) AT ALTITUDE
Jon is one of few instructors in the
world to hold the top qualifications
from France, Switzerland and Britain.
He can teach on and off piste skiing
throughout the Alps and as Ski School
Director, Jon helps manage the ski
and snowboard school, the instructor
training Gap programs, the Verbier
freeride camps and also the winter and
summer kids camps. (0041 27 771 6006;
www.altitude-verbier.com).
Beyond
The Plateau
1. Be The Driver
Not The Passenger
This month Jon examines a couple of
key movements which are required at
all levels if we wish to go faster, steeper
or for longer and get off the ‘plateau’ that
many skiers end up on.
It’s important to make sure you are
balanced on the skis as much as possible.
Well timed movements allow you to
stay balanced on the ski. In turn this
allows you to make more movements
giving you greater control and efficiency.
Over the following 5 issues we will
tackle: Psychology and Tactics /
Powder Skiing / Carving / Bumps /
Instructor Training.
Tip: Your degree of movement should
match the size of turn, speed and terrain.
Short turns will require a quicker movement.
2. Stay On Top
Skiers at all levels get caught back,
often because they do not move into
the turn. This movement comes from the
legs, and if well timed, will result in the
whole body staying balanced over the
skis throughout the turn.
Tip: Don’t use your shoulders to start
the turn, when you stretch and move
forward, make your feet start to turn to
maintain your balance.
FREE ON
ENTRY
British Ski & Board Show
29-31 October 2010 / NEC Birmingham
Big Air Action… World Class Athletes
their only UK appearance
Fashion Show Arena
Ski & Boarding Tuition
ACTION PACKED DAY OUT
SAVE HUNDREDS
Film Festival
£’s OFF YOUR SKI TRIP
Discounted Holidays
Ice Climbing
Technical Camp
Talk Theatre Arena
Clothing & Equipment Bargains
Off Piste Skiing
Resort Information
Resort Jobs
Ski & Boot Clinic
Ski Clubs Awards
Over 130 Exhibitors
Ellis Brigham • 2 Seasons • Surfanic • North Face
Atomic • Head • Dynastar • Dynamic • Austria • France •
Italy • Switzerland • USA • Canada • India • Japan
…and many more
Visit the show
SAVE MONEY
Tickets available on the door or in advance
www.britishskiandboardshow.co.uk
Ski Fitness
Tickets
5
£
E
V
A
Sspecial price
Friday
31
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3. Move Your Hips
And Body Forward
From a flexed position, make an active
stretching movement from the legs,
moving the hips and body forwards and
down the slope enabling you to keep
your centre of mass over the middle of
the ski as the ski turns down the slope.
Avoid stretching straight up as this will
cause you to lose your balance on the
skis and put you in the back seat.
4. Balanced
Rotation
In addition to good, balanced fore and
aft movements, we also need to make
sure we are rotationally balanced.
By ensuring the movement starts from
the feet and not by turning or twisting the
upper body you will stay well balanced on
the ski giving you control and the freedom
to make efficient movements.
Tip: If your hands are pointing up the hill
you’ve rotated your body too much.
A ski holiday should be a
fun, wonderful, enjoyable
and magical time for you
and your children. However,
too often it can be spoilt
by things that can easily be
avoided by a little planning,
forethought and having
realistic expectations.
Here are some tips and
tricks to make your life
easier and the holiday more
enjoyable:
Be organised – Have a
check list of the kit you and
your kids need, write down
where you have to drop the
kids off for ski school and
where you have to pick them
up from and at what time.
Also, make sure you know
how you are going to get the
lifts and how long it takes.
Timing – It takes longer to
get anywhere when on a
skiing holiday as you have
all the extra clothing you’ve
got to get the kids into
plus carrying of ski’s, poles,
helmets, goggles, gloves, etc.
Make sure you leave plenty of
time to get anywhere.
Energy levels - Children
cannot regulate their energy
levels as well as adults.
They can suddenly go from
bouncing around to being
asleep on their skis and tired
children can quickly become
grumpy and miserable.
Ensure that they have regular
snack and drink breaks
throughout the day.
On the slopes – Make
sure you know where you are
going and that the slopes are
suitable for your kids. Plan
your day with suitable stops
and drinks breaks. When
setting off on a run make sure
that everyone knows where
they are going and where you
are going to meet up. Enjoy
the time you have skiing with
your kids.
Lessons – These can make
all the difference. It gives you
the chance to have a break
from the kids and do the
things that you want to do,
while the kids are having fun
and learning how to ski.
Altitude Ski and Snowboard
School in Verbier run
specific lessons for children:
Polar Bear Club for 3 to 5
year olds, Kids Club for 6
to 15’s and Extreme Kids
for kids who can do it all.
All our instructors hold
national level qualifications.
See us in our No.1 Shop
Verbier, call (+41) 027 771
60 06, or visit
www.altitude-verbier.com.